Effect of high-velocity sand and dust on the performance of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules

•High-velocity sand and dust test apparatus was constructed in our lab.•Sand and dust test was performed on PV modules provided by 53 manufactures.•Effect of sand and dust on functional property of bypass diode in parallel with solar cell was assessed. The performance of solar modules is of grave concern in dusty regions. According to the relevant standards of IEC 60068–2-68:1994, we constructed a high-velocity sand and dust test apparatus in our lab. The sand and dust tests were performed on 330 PV modules provided by 53 manufacturers in China, Japan, American, India, and other countries during 2015–2019. The unqualified ratio of PV modules performed is about 5.76% in recent 5 years. The sand and dust certification test promotes continuous performance improvement of PV modules. The effect of sand and dust on the performance of module and bypass diode in parallel with solar cell was assessed.